US4735240A - Device for detecting the filling level in a container - Google Patents
Device for detecting the filling level in a container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US4735240A US4735240A US06/940,014 US94001486A US4735240A US 4735240 A US4735240 A US 4735240A US 94001486 A US94001486 A US 94001486A US 4735240 A US4735240 A US 4735240A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- intermediate member
- holder
- diaphragm
- projection
- cylindrical
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
- G01F23/296—Acoustic waves
- G01F23/2968—Transducers specially adapted for acoustic level indicators
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
- G01F23/296—Acoustic waves
- G01F23/2966—Acoustic waves making use of acoustical resonance or standing waves
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
- G01F23/296—Acoustic waves
- G01F23/2966—Acoustic waves making use of acoustical resonance or standing waves
- G01F23/2967—Acoustic waves making use of acoustical resonance or standing waves for discrete levels
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/7287—Liquid level responsive or maintaining systems
- Y10T137/7306—Electrical characteristic sensing
Definitions
- the invention relates to a device for detecting the filling level, particularly of a liquid in a container, by an electro-mechanical transducer secured to a diaphragm, by which transducer the diaphragm is made to oscillate with an oscillatory displacement.
- the transducer operates with electrical circuit means for establishing oscillations within the diaphragm, as well as within a holder of the diaphragm on which the diaphragm is fastened by means of a cylindrical intermediate member. Characteristics of sonic signals imparted to the liquid by the transducer are dependent on the amount of liquid present in the container. These characteristics are employed by the electrical circuit means to measure the liquid level.
- Such known devices may not have very high resistance against various external influences which act on them. These influences may impair the operation of the device. Such influences result, for example, in distortions of the diaphragm, which may be brought about by temperature fluctuations or by deformation of the fastening of the cylindrical intermediate member with the holder. Furthermore, acoustic impairments and deformation of the diaphragm can occur, which can impair the measurement.
- the holder (1) has a holding projection (7) which is engagable thereabout with play by the cylindrical intermediate member (6), whereby the intermediate member (6) is disposed on the holder projection (7) by an elastic play equalization element located between the holder projection (7) and the intermediate member.
- This structure leads to a practically complete decoupling of the diaphragm and intermediate member from the holder, so that external influences are kept away from the sensitive diaphragm. Simultaneously, a transmission of oscillations from the diaphragm to the holder is avoided, so that the oscillation energy of an electro-mechanical transducer, which may be a piezo-electric component, remains concentrated in the diaphragm without dissipation of energy utilized in the measurement process. This makes possible an optimum measurement.
- the holder projection (7) can be cylindrical in order to obtain uniformity in a holding action of the holder.
- a safety element can be located between the cylindrical intermediate member (6) and the holder projection (7) to prevent an axial relative movement of these two parts.
- the cylindrical intermediate member with radially inwardly directed safety arms (11) which project in a recess of the holder projection (7). This can be simply produced when the recess is a radially circumferential annular groove (9) on the cylindrical surface of the projection (7).
- the safety arms (11) can be formed as bent-out portions of the cylindrical wall of the intermediate member (6), which bent-out portions are deformed radially inwardly in the recess of the projection. This formation is easily producable and also facilitates simple assembly.
- Simplified construction results from constructing the diaphragm (5) and the cylindrical intermediate member (6) from a pot-like one-piece component.
- the diaphragm (5) on its radially circumferential edge joins with a radius bend (12) into the cylindrical intermediate member (6).
- Increasing the radius of the bend reduces the coupling of oscillations of the diaphragm from the intermediate member.
- the play equalization element preferably is located in the vicinity of an opening of the cylindrical intermediate member (6), which opening faces the holder (1), because a coupling of oscillations of the diaphragm to the holder is reduced with increasing spacing between the diaphragm and the elastic play equalization element. Such coupling is reduced also by forming the cylindrical intermediate member to be as long as possible.
- the play equalization element should be located on the cylindrical intermediate member at a distance from the diaphragm (5), which is larger than the diameter of the diaphragm (5).
- An equalization of production tolerances as well as a balance to nominal or desired values of the device can be attained readily by balancing the device by removal of material from the diaphragm which is connected with the cylindrical intermediate member.
- a directed cutting of material can be done by means of a laser by eroding, or by grinding.
- the cylindrical intermediate member can serve preferably as a ground conductor contacted by spring arms which are fastened conductingly to the holder for grounding.
- the spring arms can be fastened at the sides of a free face of the holder projection, and are in engagement within the range of their free ends on the inner wall of the cylindrical intermediate member.
- the device has a holder 1 with which the device can be fastened to a wall (not illustrated) of a liquid container.
- the device includes an electrical connection 2 upstanding from the holder 1 which, upon a mounting of the device within the container, projects outwardly of the container.
- the connection 2 is connected via a flexible electrical line 3 to an electro-mechanical transducer 4 comprising a piezo-electric component.
- the portion of the device directed toward the transducer 4 projects into the liquid container.
- the transducer 4 is secured to a diaphragm 5, which diaphragm connects with the holder 1 by means of a cylindrical intermediate member 6. In this manner a chamber formed within the intermediate member 6 is tightly, hermetically sealed-off with respect to an inner chamber of the liquid container.
- the holder 1 has a cylindrical holder projection 7 which with play is enveloped and gripped by the cylindrical intermediate member 6.
- the holder projection 7 has on its cylindrical surface two adjacent radial circumferential annular grooves 8 and 9.
- annular groove 8 which is closer to the free end of the holder projection 7, there is disposed an elastic O-Ring 10 having a round outer surface which contacts, with pre-stress, the inner wall of the cylindrical intermediate member 6 for holding the member 6.
- portions of the wall of the intermediate member 6 are bent in to provide projections in the form of safety arms 11, the free ends of which are deformed by contact with the groove 9 upon projecting radially inwardly into the groove 9.
- the safety arms 11 prevent an axial relative movement between the holder projection 7 and the cylindrical intermediate member 6.
- the diaphragm 5 and the cylindrical intermediate member 6 are constructed as a pot-like shaped one-piece component wherein the diaphragm 5 joins at its circumferential edge with the cylindrical intermediate member 6 by a radially curved junction 12.
- the foregoing pot-like component is formed of metal and serves as a ground conductor.
- Ground conducting spring arms 13 are fastened on the free front side of the holding projection 7 to contact, within the range of their free ends 14, the inner wall of the cylindrical intermediate member 6 with pre-tension or pre-stress. In this manner, a ground contact for the intermediate member 6 is produced, and oscillation impairment of the diaphragm by oscillation is avoided.
Abstract
Description
Claims (14)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE19853543528 DE3543528A1 (en) | 1985-12-10 | 1985-12-10 | DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE LEVEL IN A CONTAINER |
DE3543528 | 1985-12-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US4735240A true US4735240A (en) | 1988-04-05 |
Family
ID=6288050
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US06/940,014 Expired - Fee Related US4735240A (en) | 1985-12-10 | 1986-12-10 | Device for detecting the filling level in a container |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4735240A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0229225B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU587870B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR8606049A (en) |
DE (2) | DE3543528A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5625343A (en) * | 1992-10-02 | 1997-04-29 | Endress + Hauser Gmbh + Co. | Device for determining and/or monitoring a predetermined filling level |
US20090009179A1 (en) * | 2007-07-05 | 2009-01-08 | Baxter International Inc. | Apparatus and method for verifying a seal between mutiple chambers |
US20090012453A1 (en) * | 2007-07-05 | 2009-01-08 | Baxter International Inc. | Mobile dialysis system having supply container detection |
US20090212178A1 (en) * | 2008-02-27 | 2009-08-27 | Baxter International Inc. | Dialysate bag seal breakage sensor incorporated in dialysate bag management |
US8257299B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2012-09-04 | Baxter International | Dialysis methods and systems having autoconnection and autoidentification |
US9586003B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2017-03-07 | Baxter International Inc. | Medical fluid machine with supply autoconnection |
US10072963B1 (en) * | 2014-07-11 | 2018-09-11 | Nick V. Solokhin | Ultrasonic volume-sensing transducer instrument with concave transceiver element |
US10293091B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2019-05-21 | Baxter International Inc. | Dialysis system having an autoconnection mechanism |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10138360A1 (en) * | 2001-08-04 | 2003-02-27 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Fuel tank filling level measuring system uses mechanical resonator elements provided by part of outside wall of housing immersed in liquid in tank |
DE102004018506A1 (en) * | 2004-04-14 | 2005-11-03 | Endress + Hauser Gmbh + Co. Kg | Measuring device manufacturing method for determining and/or monitoring process factor, involves modifying vibration characteristics of mechanically vibrating unit if difference between its frequencies is greater than tolerance value |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4375764A (en) * | 1981-05-11 | 1983-03-08 | Itt | Liquid level system |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2331035A1 (en) * | 1972-06-21 | 1974-01-17 | Mse Holdings Ltd | SENSOR DEVICE FOR FLUID |
GB1512233A (en) * | 1974-03-20 | 1978-05-24 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Piezoelectric presence sensitive apparatus |
DE2429495A1 (en) * | 1974-06-20 | 1976-01-02 | Dieter H Gaertner | Device to detect impurities in pipelines and storage tanks - uses ultrasonic sources and detector units inserted into tank or pipeline |
DE3416254C2 (en) * | 1984-05-02 | 1986-06-19 | VEGA Grieshaber GmbH & Co, 7620 Wolfach | Device for determining a certain fill level of a product in a container |
DE3543529A1 (en) * | 1985-12-10 | 1987-06-11 | Vdo Schindling | DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE LEVEL, IN PARTICULAR, OF A LIQUID IN A CONTAINER |
-
1985
- 1985-12-10 DE DE19853543528 patent/DE3543528A1/en not_active Ceased
-
1986
- 1986-09-24 DE DE8686113164T patent/DE3682580D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1986-09-24 EP EP86113164A patent/EP0229225B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1986-10-30 AU AU64606/86A patent/AU587870B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1986-12-09 BR BR8606049A patent/BR8606049A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1986-12-10 US US06/940,014 patent/US4735240A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4375764A (en) * | 1981-05-11 | 1983-03-08 | Itt | Liquid level system |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5625343A (en) * | 1992-10-02 | 1997-04-29 | Endress + Hauser Gmbh + Co. | Device for determining and/or monitoring a predetermined filling level |
US20090009179A1 (en) * | 2007-07-05 | 2009-01-08 | Baxter International Inc. | Apparatus and method for verifying a seal between mutiple chambers |
US20090012453A1 (en) * | 2007-07-05 | 2009-01-08 | Baxter International Inc. | Mobile dialysis system having supply container detection |
US7808246B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2010-10-05 | Baxter International Inc. | Apparatus and method for verifying a seal between multiple chambers |
US8105266B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2012-01-31 | Baxter International Inc. | Mobile dialysis system having supply container detection |
US8257299B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2012-09-04 | Baxter International | Dialysis methods and systems having autoconnection and autoidentification |
US9586003B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2017-03-07 | Baxter International Inc. | Medical fluid machine with supply autoconnection |
US10293091B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2019-05-21 | Baxter International Inc. | Dialysis system having an autoconnection mechanism |
US11730868B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2023-08-22 | Baxter International Inc. | Dialysis system having an autoconnection mechanism |
US20090212178A1 (en) * | 2008-02-27 | 2009-08-27 | Baxter International Inc. | Dialysate bag seal breakage sensor incorporated in dialysate bag management |
US8152116B2 (en) | 2008-02-27 | 2012-04-10 | Baxter International Inc. | Dialysate bag seal breakage sensor incorporated in dialysate bag management |
US10072963B1 (en) * | 2014-07-11 | 2018-09-11 | Nick V. Solokhin | Ultrasonic volume-sensing transducer instrument with concave transceiver element |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0229225B1 (en) | 1991-11-21 |
EP0229225A2 (en) | 1987-07-22 |
DE3682580D1 (en) | 1992-01-02 |
DE3543528A1 (en) | 1987-06-11 |
BR8606049A (en) | 1987-09-15 |
AU587870B2 (en) | 1989-08-31 |
EP0229225A3 (en) | 1989-04-26 |
AU6460686A (en) | 1987-06-11 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VDO ADOLF SCHINDLING AG, GRAFSTRASSE 103, 6000 FRA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ZIEGLER, KLAUS;REEL/FRAME:004689/0535 Effective date: 19861211 Owner name: VDO ADOLF SCHINDLING AG, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ZIEGLER, KLAUS;REEL/FRAME:004689/0535 Effective date: 19861211 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 19960410 |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |